Browns Looking Into Photos Posted by WR Bess

16 Jan 2014

(AP) Browns looking into photos posted by WR BessBy TOM WITHERSAP Sports WriterCLEVELANDBrowns wide receiver Davone Bess has posted a potentially incriminating photograph on his Twitter account that could jeopardize his future with the team _ and possibly lead to NFL discipline.

Bess, who capped a disappointing first season with Cleveland by missing the final two games for personal reasons, posted a photo on Thursday morning on his Twitter page of a small package containing what appears to be marijuana. Some of the green-and-brown colored substance is out of the bag and on a table. The photo has since been deleted.

A Browns spokesman said the team “is aware of the photos and looking further into the situation, and will deal with the matter internally.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello had no comment beyond saying the league was aware of the photo.

This is the second time a photo associated with Bess has brought him under scrutiny.

Last month, a photo posted on his Instagram account showed Bess sitting on an outdoor deck and lighting a cigar or possibly a marijuana joint while he sat next to a picture of reggae legend Bob Marley and with a Rastafarian flag draped around the wide receivers’ shoulders.

The Browns traded for Bess on draft day last year, swapping picks with Miami to acquire the dependable slot receiver. Cleveland’s front office immediately signed the 28-year-old to a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension through 2016. That deal includes $5.75 million guaranteed and Bess is scheduled to make $3.06 million in 2014.

Touted as a sure-handed receiver, Bess finished with career-lows in catches (42) and yards (362) for the Browns, who went 4-12 and fired coach Rob Chudzinski hours after the season finale against Pittsburgh. Bess also hurt the Browns with several drops and he muffed a punt in Kansas City that snuffed out a possible upset of the then-unbeaten Chiefs.

When Bess didn’t appear at practice on Dec. 19, Chudzinski said the player was dealing with “a personal matter.” Two days later, the Browns placed Bess on the reserve/non-football illness list, citing personal reasons.

The likable Bess was always accessible to the media during the regular season and willing to discuss not only his struggles but the team’s as well.

Bess spent five seasons with the Dolphins. He caught at least 51 passes each year and had his best season in 2010, when he had 79 receptions for 820 yards and five touchdowns.